SERDANG, May 5 - The Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has produced 1,255 litres of 8,500 bottles (80 millilitres) and 575 litres of refillable hand sanitisers or handrub sanitisers in efforts to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Project leader, Senior Lecturer of the Faculty of Science, Dr. Nadiah Mad Nasir, said the project was conducted in two phases. The first phase was conducted with the Global Innovation through Science and Technology initiative (GIST), while the second phase had received funding from several non-governmental organisations (NGO), Surau Al-Ansar Taman Suria Tropika and Islamic Banking & Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM).
She said the UPM products were distributed free of charge to frontliners at the University Health Centre, UPM Teaching Hospital, essential services on UPM campus, UPM students, B40 community around Serdang, Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Kelang, Kuala Lumpur and several Covid-19 red zones.
“This product complies with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standards of using 75 percent isopropyl alcohol as the main active ingredient and glycerol as the emollient.
“Two chemical laboratories were used as the site for production and packaging of the hand sanitisers in compliance with the safety procedures prescribed,” she said.
She said the team consisted of science officers and assistant science officers, Zaidina Mohd Daud, Naszroul Haqimee Rahmat, Muhamad Fazhli Roslan, Abdul Latif Shaari, Nurshakinah Azmi and Nor Azura Zulkafly.
Meanwhile, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Dr. Mohd Basyaruddin Abdul Rahman, said the hand sanitisers are crucially needed in many essential services sectors, especially for frontliners, but the supply is limited, and there has been a significant increase in the cost as a result of high demand.
“Accordingly, UPM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datin Paduka Setia Dato’ Dr. Aini Ideris, has urged the Faculty of Science to lead community engagement projects with NGOs during this critical period.
“The Department of Chemistry welcomed the initiative of Murali Prasad from GIST regarding the ‘function of Science’ programme to undertake the hand sanitiser community project involving the Departments of Chemistry laboratories from several Malaysian public universities,” she said.
In addition to participants in the first phase of the project, the second phase was assisted by senior lecturers, science officers, and assistant science officers, including Dr. Nor Azam Endot, Shareena Safiai, Mustaqim Muhammad and Nur Aisyah M Rosli. - UPM
